When To Call a Doctor

Call or other emergency services immediately if:

• You have a sudden loss of bowel or bladder control.
• An injury causes numbness or weakness in one or both legs.

Call your doctor if:

• Leg pain is accompanied by persistent weakness, tingling, or numbness in any part of the leg from the buttock to the ankle or foot.
• New low back pain is accompanied by vomiting and/or fever [101°F (38.33°C) or higher] that lasts longer than 48 hours.
• Leg pain or intermittent weakness, tingling, or numbness lasts longer than 1 week despite home treatment.
• You have back pain that either won't go away or builds in intensity over a few weeks.
• A back injury is work-related, and symptoms don't improve in 2 to 3 days.
• Back pain is accompanied by pain during urination or blood in the urine.
• You have back pain that is worse when you are resting than when you are active.
• You notice a gradual increase in problems with bowel or bladder control.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next.

If you have pain, numbness, or tingling in one leg that gets worse with sitting, standing, or walking (without any obvious leg weakness):

• You may try a brief period of bed rest—usually no more than 1 to 2 days—then gradually begin activities if the pain is manageable.
• Take short walks.
• Avoid movements and positions that increase pain or numbness.

Who to see

For diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of a herniated disc, you may see:

• A family medicine doctor.
• An internist.
• A physical therapist.
• A physiatrist (a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation).
• A rheumatologist.
• A neurologist.
• A doctor of osteopathy (osteopath).

For diagnosis and surgical treatment of a herniated disc, specialists include:

• An orthopedic surgeon.
• A neurosurgeon.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.